Rwanda Loses Group C Lead in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Rwanda has dropped from the top of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers after failing to secure a win in their last two matches. The Amavubi first faced Nigeria on Friday, March 21, at a packed Amahoro Stadium, with President H.E Paul Kagame among the spectators. However, Rwanda struggled against the Super Eagles and suffered a 0-2 defeat, with Victor Osimhen scoring both goals. Given Nigeria’s strength, the loss was not a major shock, but it was a setback for Rwanda’s qualification hopes. Four days later, on Tuesday, March 25, Rwanda had a chance to bounce back against Lesotho in another home match at Amahoro Stadium. With strong support from fans and officials, including the Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, the team was determined to regain momentum. Rwanda dominated the game from the start, creating several attacking opportunities but failing to convert them into goals. The breakthrough finally came in the 58th minute when Jojea Kwizera scored from a well-placed pass by captain Manzi Thierry. Regular captain Djihad Bizimana was unavailable due to suspension after accumulating three yellow cards in the qualifiers. Despite leading for most of the second half, Rwanda failed to secure a second goal. Their defensive lapse in the 82nd minute proved costly, as Lesotho’s L. Fothoane capitalized on poor positioning to score the equalizer from a free kick. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, marking a tough test for new Rwanda head coach Adel Amrouche in just his second game in charge.

Also read: New Coaching Staff of Rwanda’s National Team “Amavubi”: A New Dawn or a Familiar Struggle?

Before these two matches, Rwanda led Group C with 7 points. After the draw against Lesotho, they now sit in second place with 8 points. The top team in each group secures direct qualification for the World Cup, meaning Rwanda will need strong performances in their remaining four fixtures to stay in contention.